When is Fall Turkey Season in Ohio?

Fall turkey season in Ohio provides hunters the chance to pursue wild turkeys during their mating season. Unlike spring turkey season which focuses on calling in gobblers the fall season allows hunting hens and juveniles as well. Read on for key dates and regulations for Ohio’s fall turkey season.

Ohio Fall Turkey Season Dates

For 2024, Ohio’s fall turkey season runs October 1 – October 27, 2024 in specific counties

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) approved these dates for the 2024-2025 hunting seasons. Fall turkey season spans 4 weeks in October.

Counties Open for Fall Turkey Hunting

Ohio’s fall turkey season is open in select counties only. For 2024, the counties include:

• Adams, Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Cuyahoga
• Defiance, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Franklin, Fulton, Gallia, Geauga, Guernsey, Hancock, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Huron, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lake
• Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Portage, Preble
• Putnam, Richland, Ross, Sandusky, Scioto, Seneca, Shelby, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Union, Van Wert, Vinton, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Williams, Wood, Wyandot

So most counties in the northern half and eastern portion of Ohio are open for fall turkey hunting.

Ohio Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations

Here are the key regulations Ohio hunters must follow for the fall 2024 turkey season:

• Bag Limit: 1 bearded turkey per hunter
• Legal Hunting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset
• Permit Required: Fall turkey permit in addition to hunting license
• Permitted Firearms/Bows: Shotguns using shot, crossbows, longbows, recurve bows
• Off Limits: Turkey calls and electronic calling devices are prohibited in fall.

Unlike spring, turkey decoys are legal to use in the fall season.

Tips for Hunting Fall Turkeys

Here are some tips to maximize your chances of bagging a fall turkey in Ohio:

• Scout – locate flocks in the weeks before season opens. Look for food sources turkeys frequent.

• Focus on food sources – fallen acorns are a favorite fall food. Set up near oak trees dropping acorns.

• Try still hunting – sneak into areas turkeys frequent, walking slowly and pausing frequently.

• Use a blind – pop-up blinds near food sources let you stay concealed.

• Aim for the head and neck – use #4, #5 or #6 shot for clean kills on head/neck shots.

• Be patient – call sparingly. Sit still and let turkeys come into range.

Following regulations and hunting ethically ensures healthy wild turkey populations for future generations. Good luck this fall turkey season!